Holistic Living - Developing and Maintining a Positive Attitude

Attitude is a matter of choice

Last month we talked about stress. Sometimes, stress is caused by our own thoughts ... by how we choose to view a situation.

I once worked in a large office. On a grey and rainy morning, employees dragged themselves through the front door with heads down and angry looks on their faces. Everyone complained about the weather and commented on what a dreary day we had ahead of us.

An older woman entered, smiling and walking with purpose. Everyone noticed her. As she made her way to the desk next to mine, I commented on how she seemed to be so happy. What she said next would forever change how I view a cloudy sky:

"Have you looked at the sky? It's beautiful ... so many lovely shades of grey with purple and blue mixed in. It's a gorgeous day!"


This woman made the decision to see beauty, regardless of what others were seeing.

Throughout that day, I noticed something interesting. She had a productive day. Most of the other employees endured a miserable eight hours ... things didn't go well for them, they seemed lethargic, and one person even went home sick.

I learned two important things ... attitude is our choice and it affects everything, even our health.

Choosing a good attitude is easy to say, but not always easy to implement. We've all heard the clichés ... when life hands you lemons, make lemonade or ... view the cup as half full rather than half empty or ... a frown is only a smile upside down. While there is some wisdom to those sayings, serious attitude adjustment takes strategy. Here are some tools:

• Start a "positive thoughts" or "gratitude" journal

  

  Keep a journal of positive thoughts

  This daily practice helps us notice all the good in our lives. As we search for something to write, we train ourselves to see the beauty in the world. After awhile, looking is no longer an effort ... we notice all the wonder of life and, more importantly, we appreciate it. Keeping track of these positive thoughts is a powerful tool for improving one's attitude.

• Breathe

  We tend to take shallow breaths, especially when we are unhappy. Five deep breaths can actually change our mood.

• Change your thoughts

  Do you ever find yourself thinking negative thoughts? Left alone, they seem to grow and multiply. Here's a handy way to turn them around. When you notice a negative thought, say "Stop" (it might help to say this out loud). Then, replace that scene with something good, perhaps a happy memory or thoughts of your favorite place. Think of a lovely song or an image of a beautiful setting. This technique requires that one is armed with a good thought so that the negative one can be immediately replaced.

• Positive Affirmations

  Gather together a list of your favorite affirmations, even the clichés. Reinforcing positive thoughts develops a pattern of thinking which, eventually, becomes a habit.

• Use positive language

  The words we use, both in our speech and in writing, affect the way we think. Practice turning a phrase. For example, rather than say "Don't be late", try saying "Be on time". Instead of writing "I should", try writing "I will". Watch out for words like always, never, can’t, and won’t ... they typically have a negative connotation.

• Get creative

  

  Play to connect with your creativity

  I've spoken to artists who tell me that when they are creating, they are thinking of nothing else. They find art relaxing and cleansing. So, pursue something creative. Try to sketch a leaf or paint a scene. Grab some modelling clay and let your inner child play. Borrow your child's building blocks and see what develops. The benefit is not in what you create, or how talented you are, but rather in the process itself. But who knows, maybe you're a budding Michelangelo and will discover your hidden Muse.

• Talk to a friend

  I have a trusted friend who listens to me complain and then offers me another way to look at a situation. Having friends who will do more than commiserate with us, helps us to change our thought patterns.

• Turn off the TV

  Let's face it ... television often sends a negative message. While it might be entertaining in small doses, anything more contributes to negative thinking. Try turning off the TV and going for a walk or spending quality time with loved ones.

Our attitudes have power. They can bring us happiness and even improve our health.

Ultimately, how we view life is our responsibility ... we not only have control over our attitudes, we can choose them.

Putting a strategy in place, and using a few tools, will ensure that we see beautiful shades of grey on a cloudy day.

And that's something to smile about!

How do you maintain a positive attitude?


The information presented in our holistic living series is not, and should not be used as, a substitute for medical advice.

This post shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop

Holistic Wellness - Dealing With Stress Naturally

Stress can cause headaches,
fatigue, and anxiety

Stress is a normal part of life! It is our physical and emotional response to pressure. Most of us can handle some stress and, in fact, would probably be bored with life if we didn't experience any. It also helps us stay safe, giving us the ability to take action if we need to. The trouble comes when we have to deal with too much.

Stress helped early humans
react quickly when danger looked
them in the eye

When we are under pressure, the body releases neurochemicals and hormones which prepare us to take action (the fight or flight response). That was perfect in cave-man days when a person's safety was in constant jeopardy. To survive, early humans had to recognize danger and be able to fight it off or flee. But in today's world, we aren't fighting off dinosaurs or running for our lives. We are typically dealing with stressful situations while doing such things as sitting at a desk or driving. So, the chemicals released in our body simply stay there. And that causes us harm.

What causes stress

There are some situations which are expected stressors, like the loss of a loved one, trouble at work, divorce, or financial problems. Other situations might include bad service in a restaurant or heavy traffic when you're in a hurry.

Happy occasions, like a wedding,
can cause stress

Stress is not, however, just about the "bad" stuff that happens. The birth of a baby, a marriage, a new home, or even the holidays can cause stress. It's all about how we deal with situations.

How to recognize stress

Since we each respond to situations differently, how does one know if they are experiencing stress? Here are some common symptoms:

• Trouble sleeping
• Loss of enthusiasm or energy
• Muscle tension and/or muscle aches
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nervousness
• Stomach problems
• Changes in eating habits (over- or under- eating)
• Fatigue
• Anxiety
• Mood changes (irritability, depression, sadness, etc.)
• Trouble remembering or concentrating
• Feeling hopeless and/or helpless

The important thing to remember is that we all react to pressure differently. The above list is not, by any means, definitive. It is up to each of us to evaluate our response to determine if we are reacting normally or in an unusual manner.

Strategies to naturally deal with stress

Leave
If at all possible, leave stressful situations. For example, walk away from an argument or take a break from a particularly uncomfortable business meeting. If traffic is heavy, take an alternate route or visit a park until traffic clears.

Exercise
Remember the "fight or flight" response and the build up of chemicals in our bodies? Exercise helps remove them and, in fact, helps slow their production. It also is an antidepressant, combats anxiety, and helps us sleep. If you can't manage daily exercise, try for 30 minutes a day, 3-5 times a week.

Diet
Eat foods high in B Vitamins like nuts, potatoes, bananas, lentils, chili peppers, beans, molasses, and whole grains. Reduce alcohol, caffeine, sugar and junk food. Drink a lot of water to stay hydrated.

Breathe
Have you ever noticed that when you're stressed you breathe quickly and shallowly? Quick, shallow breaths deplete the brain of oxygen. Take five deep breaths to bring your body back to normal. Deep breathing will also improve your mood.

Get Busy
Sometimes we can divert our minds by simply doing something ordinary, like cleaning house, reading, gardening, or cooking. Even watching TV can stop worrisome thoughts.

Talk
Talking to a close friend or a trusted family member may help relieve our anxiety. Simply airing the problems we face can minimize their impact on our lives.

Relax
Relax both the body and the mind. Try guided meditation or yoga. Take a scented bath. Focus on the positive in your life and list the things you are grateful for. Take a nap. Listen to soothing music or take a walk in nature.

Laughter is the
best medicine

Laugh
Laughter tends to relax your whole body. It also increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. And, remember those stress chemicals and hormones? Laughter decreases them while, at the same time, causes the release of endorphins into our system (they are the body’s natural feel-good chemicals). So, watch a comedy, call your funniest friend, or read a funny book. Or simply start laughing ... before you know it, you'll be doubling over with a good belly laugh.

Stress is inevitable. Managing it properly can be the difference between using it as a motivating, learning tool or letting it cause illness.

William James, an American philosopher and psychologist, said this of stress: "The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another."

How do you manage stress in your life?

Sneak Peek: Have you heard of The People's Movement? Join us next week for an introduction!


The information presented in our holistic living series is not, and should not be used as, a substitute for medical advice.

How do you maintain your health?

Holistic wellness encompasses all aspects of life.

So I began to wonder about all the ways we try to keep ourselves healthy and which ways are embraced by most people.

That's the focus of April's survey.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Join us back here on April 24th for a discussion of the results.


Sneak Peek: Do you hate it when kitchen cloths go "sour"? I've got a solution for you!!

Do you need aspirin for that headache?

Have you ever seen one of those commercials which advertise drugs "guaranteed" to cure whatever ails you? They sympathize with our pain and tell us that the use of their product will help us lead a pain-free, productive life. Taking the medicine is always easy ... just pop a pill and, like magic, we are smiling.

A headache is trying to
tell you something.

The problem is, popping a pill for instant relief often prevents us from looking at the cause of our discomfort. It can cover up, rather than cure, a problem.

Am I saying that we shouldn't use medications? Not at all! I firmly believe that there is a place, and a need, for medicine. But, many times our discomfort can be relieved in a simple, natural way.

Here are some of my favorite natural remedies:

Headaches

A headache is trying to tell you something. Perhaps you haven't had enough sleep or have waited too long to eat. It might signal tension or that you aren't breathing deeply enough. Here are a few things to try before taking an aspirin:

• Drink a glass of water (headaches are often caused by dehydration).
• Eat something (even a small amount can cure a headache if it's been awhile since your last meal).
• Take 5 slow, deep breaths (it can release tension and change your mood).

Upset Stomach

An upset stomach can signal a serious issue and, if it continues for more than 24 hours, one should consult a physician. Often, however, it's caused by a virus, flu, or something we ate (as Scrooge says, "an undigested bit of beef"). These cures might give you instant relief:

• 

  This sweet treat can
  ease stomach aches.

  Let a peppermint candy slowly dissolve in your mouth (peppermint calms and numbs stomach muscles so that the flow of bile (used to digest fats) is improved and food can travel more quickly through the body).
• Drink a cup of ginger tea (ginger has antispasmodic, anti-nausea, and digestive properties). Note: This is not recommended for children under two years of age.

Bee Stings and Bug Bites

Spending time outside usually means bug bites. Unless one is allergic, bugs bites and bee stings are more painful than anything else (seek immediate medical help if you are allergic to bee stings). After removing the stinger, use these tips to relieve the pain:

• Apply mud (dirt mixed with water) directly to the bite. Let the mud dry and then wash off with cool water. Works every time!
• Apply ice (ice reduces pain and swelling ... be sure to wrap the ice in a cloth to avoid direct contact which could damage skin tissue).
• Pour a little vinegar directly on the affected area. If it doesn't work, try the next tip.



Every home needs Aloe!

• Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply to the bite.
• Cut a leaf from your Aloe plant (you all have Aloe plants, right?) and apply the gel directly to the bite.

Burns

Minor burns or sunburns can be treated effectively and naturally. Try these ideas:

• Apply cool water to the burn to reduce the heat (do not use ice because it will damage the skin tissue).
• Dab Witch Hazel on the area (Witch Hazel is an astringent and has been shown to give long-lasting anti-inflammatory relief).
• Place tea bags (soaked in water) on the affected area (tea contains tannic acid which eases pain).

Our bodies offer us many clues to health. Discomfort signals a problem which can often be prevented or cured naturally. Medicines do have a place in a healthy lifestyle but it's best to try to understand the cause of a problem, and fix it naturally if possible, before finding instant relief with over-the-counter drugs.

What are your favorite natural home remedies?


Sneak Peek: We asked if you could live off the grid. Tomorrow we'll reveal your answers!


The information presented in our holistic living series is not, and should not be used as, a substitute for medical advice.

This post is shared at Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party Hop and Small Footprint Fridays